Over at ~UK-manga-ka-club, we decided to do some interviews for Anime and Manga week. This was a bit of a last minute decision, hence why the interviews are late, but we hope you enjoy them none the less.

There may be a few more to come, but our first interview is with Emma Vieceli, conducted by ~camisicado In between the questions are thumbs from Emma's spectacular gallery. Some of the questions are more to do with the UK manga scene, but we hope everyone enjoy's it! (-~yun-min)


Hey It's Volker [~camisicado] here, and as many of you may know we've been pretty eager to seek out the movers and shakers of the Uk manga industry to interview. Well tonight Ladies and Gents we have a most excelent surprise for you: The smashing Emma Vieceli [A core member of , the artist for SelfMadeHero's Manga Shakespeare: Hamlet and creator of her independant manga Dragon Heir] has agreed to be interviewed. Emma, Thanks so much for agreeing to the interview, I'm sure we'll all learn alot from this


1. [An obvious question, but an important one] How, Why and When did you get into anime/manga?

I spent a lot of time in Italy as a kid, where anime is on TV all the time...so I got into a lot of inspiring shows over there. Then when I was 11, someone loaned me a copy of Ranma 1/2....and I was hooked! ^_^



2. When did you feel the urge to start drawing yourself and when did it become more then a hobby to you?

I still don't know! haha. I used to doodle all of the time on anything I could...but never really saw it as anything more than fun. In fact, even after I'd gone freelance I still couldn't convince myself. It's all very surreal and I keep waiting for someone to tell me that I got it all wrong. haha.
I guess my first comic drawings were when I was trying to emulate Takahashi (haven't we all? haha), but it was Legend of Arislan, the anime , that changed everything for me. I discovered bishies! buaha.
Hey, everyone needs a motivation, right?



3. What would you say your main influences are, artisticly and in terms of writing?

At the moment artistically, Yoshinaga Fumi (Antique bakery), though cheesy as it sounds I genuinely like to pick up inspiration from everything I see. It can be hard to not absorb stuff when you're in the right mind-set.
In terms of writing - gosh, I have no idea. *thinks*
I really don't know....I was weaned on Douglas Adams, so lord knows where THAT fits into something like Dragon Heir..haha.



4. What would you descirbe your own art style as?

A meld. I Don't like to call myself a manga artist if I can help it - as my style is an amalgamation of my love for manga, but also for western comics and especially the Italian series Dylan Dog. Manga Hamlet unfortunately put me into a label and it's hard to escape it....but really I don't want to be seen as someone trying to emulate manga as I genuinely draw what comes naturally to me and what I enjoy. ^_^
I worry sometimes that my style isn't recogniseable, but I think we all feel that at times. As to what I'd describe my style as....umm...I guess semi-realistic, gentle on the eyes, simple - I am a fan of simple lines and space.



5. How much work/patience does it take to become a "Professional Manga Creator" in the U.K?

Very hard to say. I came in through an odd route as I never aimed for this, so I can't really say how hard I worked for it. I guess, looking back, I was working hard without realising it....sweatdrop has taken a HUGE amount of work to get to this stage...and I have put a lot of effort into networking, working for free, helping build relations, motivating others where I can, all in the name of sweatdrop, without realising that those things were in turn building my reputation as an artist. Of course, i was always drawing throughout this and working to improve, but I'd honestly say that it takes equal amounts of work in networking and helping others as it does in drawing to really make it.
A large portion of luck as well of course.

I think it would be different if you asked someone who had a clear aim and purpose...as I say, my situation was a little odd ^_^



6. What tips would you give to people who say to you "OMG how do i become a UK Manga Ka???"

Network. Draw. Have fun. NEVER assume you're better than other people, but never assume you're worse than everyone either. Keep a level headed approach and be prepared to bite down sometimes and take a hit. Stay friendly and positive - as this is a small world and you'll be shocked how easily word can travel even about the smallest things. Be prepared to start small and build up. Work for yourself, not for others - that way, if something nice does come along, it will be a wonderful surprise. ^_^


7. Are you surprised by the success of the "Manga Shakespeare" series? It's quite an ambitious task to throw yourself into, but it seems to have paid off.

It was a risk, yes - and I guess I am surprised in a way. I knew that it would get attention from the start, because it was such a radical idea. It was what kind of attention it would get that worried me. I've been happily surprised at the amount of positive feedback
though. The publishers (SelfMadehero) have really worked so hard to get the recognition you see around for the series, and I'm lucky to be in a lineup of such wonderful artists!



8. What's the best and worst thing about being a manga/anime artist in the UK?

Best thing: The closeness of the scene; how friendly it all is.

Worst thing: The pigeon-holing. Putting up with stick for my 'manga' when it's the ones throwing the stick who call it that in the first place. ^_~



9.Where do you see the U.K manga scene heading from here?

Hopefully more manga/western style crossover until manga has less of an isolated status.
More book publishers getting on board and more opportunities. It's possible that many UK artists who have always worked for US companies, as that's where the work was, will start migrating back to the UK as the market grows. the lure of the pound sterling is a powerful force.



One Final Question:
Which would you prefer to create: Bishie Love comics that have little interlectual value and hated by critics but sell in the thousands/millions. Or super intense and smart manga that is lauded as the best manga ever by critics but doesn't fare well in sales?

I'd want to create intense, smart manga that features bishies. buahah. best of both worlds. Prove that just because something's pretty, it doesn't have to be mindless.

In reality, I'd like to create stuff that sells so that I can afford to live. TBH, i'm not a very highbrow person...so even if I held high levels of artistic integrity, I couldn't live up to them. hahaha ^_~



Once again thank you very much Emma Vieceli!